Religious Education Prospectus 

Infants Through Toddlers

• Staffed by Linda Crawford, a professional caregiver, and one volunteer.

• This class gives your infant/toddler the opportunity to learn by simply allowing him/her to interact with his/her surroundings in a developmentally appropriate play setting.

Preschool

• Staffed by Laura Sinclair, a professional caregiver, and one volunteer.

• Friendship Finders: This curriculum gives our youngest children the opportunity to experience being a UU through ritual, structure, and simply by playing and having fun with their church friends.

• Dr. Seuss:: This summer our Infant through preschoolers will be discovering the wide world of Dr. Seuss. They’ll learn their ABC’s, celebrate Christmas in July, and learn why they should always be kind to others. This curriculum is full of simple but engaging crafts, games and finger plays. The perfect curriculum for our youngest UU’s.
   

Kindergarten Through First Grade

• Staffed by Lisa Crawford, a professional teacher, and one volunteer.

• Wonderful Welcome: Through this curriculum your child will be challenged to explore how and why we welcome certain people, animals and nature into our lives.

• Creating Home: This curriculum explores the questions “What is home,” “Where is home,” “How do you create a home,” and “Who are we when we are at home?” In addition, this program gives students the opportunity to develop their concept of a “faith home.”

• Passport to Creation: Our school age children (K-5th grade) will spend this summer traveling around the world with a curriculum called “Passport to Creation.” With “Passport to Creation,” our K-5th graders will hear and discuss the different creation stories from cultures all around the world. Then, they’ll create a souvenir, or learn a cultural tradition from that culture that they can take back home. Learn about Amen-Rah and mummify a Barbie doll. Or, hear about the great volcano god of Hawaii and learn how to Hula dance. This is a great curriculum where our children get the chance to determine what exactly is fact, and what, exactly, is myth.
   

Second - Fifth Grade

• Staffed by Kymm Whitehead, a professional teacher, and one volunteer.

• Faithful Journeys: Children develop a unity of faith through this curriculum, as they explore how they, and others, use the seven Unitarian Universalist principles as a credo through their actions.

• Windows and Mirrors: This curriculum challenges children to look at themselves and others, so that they can define the similarities and differences between us all, and embrace our diversity.

• Passport to Creation: Our school age children (K-5th grade) will spend this summer traveling around the world with a curriculum called “Passport to Creation.” With “Passport to Creation,” our K-5th graders will hear and discuss the different creation stories from cultures all around the world. Then, they’ll create a souvenir, or learn a cultural tradition from that culture that they can take back home. Learn about Amen-Rah and mummify a Barbie doll. Or, hear about the great volcano god of Hawaii and learn how to Hula dance. This is a great curriculum where our children get the chance to determine what exactly is fact, and what, exactly, is myth.
   

Jr. High (Grades 6-8)

• Led by one volunteer teacher and an assistant.

• Riddle and Mystery: Children explore Unitarian Universalist beliefs, as well as their own, as they tackle the big questions, such as “Is there a god,” “What happens after you die,” “Does my life have a purpose?” For this curriculum, First Unitarian Church is acting as field testers.

• Amazing Grace: This curriculum helps children understand right and wrong, as they are often torn between both in junior and senior high school. Through realization of their own Unitarian Universalist Identity, children are given the resources essential to safely and productively navigate their future.

• Premier Questions: This is a pioneering year for our Jr. and Sr. High, as this is the first year that we are offering a summer curriculum to our youth. “Premier Questions” explores the big questions in popular movies. What’s the nature of God (“Saved!”)? Do we rely on Technology too heavily (“Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow”)? What’s the true relationship of good and evil (“Bedazzled”)? Each movie is rated PG-13 or under, and will be shown over a span of two Sundays, with discussion taking place at the end of each Sunday. This is a great curriculum – engaging and deep – and I would hate for any of our youth to miss out!

Sr. High (Grades 9 - 12)

• Led by our Youth Advisor, Elyse Silverman.

• Young Religious Unitarian Universalists: Sr. High students and leaders will create their curriculum as they progress through the year by utilizing the elements of worship, community building, social action, learning, and leadership.

• Premier Questions: This is a pioneering year for our Jr. and Sr. High, as this is the first year that we are offering a summer curriculum to our youth. “Premier Questions” explores the big questions in popular movies. What’s the nature of God (“Saved!”)? Do we rely on Technology too heavily (“Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow”)? What’s the true relationship of good and evil (“Bedazzled”)? Each movie is rated PG-13 or under, and will be shown over a span of two Sundays, with discussion taking place at the end of each Sunday. This is a great curriculum – engaging and deep – and I would hate for any of our youth to miss out!

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ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS

Coming of Age

Coming of Age (COA) delves into the purpose and meaning of UUism in the individual lives of our Sr. High students. Students are paired with mentors from the congregation, and the program culminates in a trip to the UUA in Boston. Through this process, students will be encouraged to define their personal spirituality and will have the option to share their journey with us.  To learn more, check out this website.

Chalice Choir

Those children in preschool through 5^th grade who wish to participate in chalice choir will be escorted from their classroom to the Imagination room in the last 15 minutes of class.  Their, they will learn UU songs, dance and sing with our Music Director, Tom Sherwood.  Participation in the children’s choir is open to all who wish to participate, no registration is required.

Principle Practice

Those children in preschool through 5^th who wish to stay behind during Chalice Choir will be escorted to Room 5 for principle practice with 2 of our fabulous teachers, Lisa Crawford and Kymm Whitehead. In principle practice children will join into groups and work on long term projects, each of which are directly related to one of our 7 principles. Participation in principle practice is open to all who wish to participate, no registration is required.